Operation Paint Over --- How do we want to deal with graffiti in our community?

This will be our second meeting. If you didn't get a chance to join us the first time, please come ---we are still very much in the planning stages.

When: Monday, August 31st, 5:30pm to 7:00pm

Where: Whispering Palms School at Navy Hill (park where you can and look for sign on the door)

Agenda/Objectives:

1. Review meeting minutes from prior meeting.
2. Share ideas (3-mins so we can give everyone a chance and allow time for discussion)
3. Report from Victor on Zoning village meetings.
4. Consider next steps:

• Developing a stakeholder list by village; dividing up the list and begin making contact to bring those people into the discussion (Crime Stoppers, Neighborhood Watch)


• Plan out how to achieve a photo journal of the existing graffiti issues village by village


• Assign one person to attend each of the remaining village-by-village Zoning meetings so that we can inquire about "graffiti" in that village
  
  

5. Confirm next meeting date/time/location - Monday, Sept 14th, 5:30p, Whispering Palms School at Navy Hill

The principle concept is to follow the Beautify CNMI established style of getting things done. We build a coalition, share resources where we can and support individual(s) and/or group(s) that have an action plan.

Note: Current organizational partners already committed include Rotary Club of Saipan and Island SK8 Society.

Questions can be directed to Laurie Peterka (483-7499) laurie.peterka@saipan.com or Tyler Yoshimoto at tyler_yosh@hotmail.com

See or forward our FaceBook event link at: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=122455452421&ref=mf

Day 2 of the Marianas High School Painting Project. Maraming Salamat Po Friends of the Mariana Islands (FMI)!

Saturday, July 14, 2007.
Back row: Rene & Robert. Front row: FMI President Tess Castillo, Mele, Precy, Rep. Cinta Kaipat & Radino. FMI has earned the title "Beautify CNMI's Supervolunteer Group" for their outstanding volunteer work in the CNMI. This Group epitomizes the Beautify CNMI! spirit of "volunteering from the heart." Beautify CNMI! is proud to partner with FMI.
Mele wipes the sweat off her brows while Tess paints behind her.
FMI President Tess Castillo making it look easy, though it wasn't.
Dennis looks in on Rene.
Robert stirs the paint.
Rene sweated hard, but he did a great job!
Precy carefully paints the wall.

See? Even these guys are really trying their best to beautify the MHS!

Si Yu'us Ma'ase Sablan Family Volunteers!

The Sablans -- Mike, Juanita, and Adam -- Beautify CNMI!'s Supervolunteer Family, joined Rep. Cinta Kaipat and other Beautify CNMI! coalition partners on Saturday, July 14, 2007, to help paint some classrooms at MHS. This was Day 2 of the painting project.

A family that volunteers together, well . . . paints together!
Mike miticulously trying to get the tough corners.
Young Enviornmental Warrior Adam Sablan showing why he is also a winner of the 2007 Beautify CNMI! Governor's Environmental Steward recipient.

Adam's ever-present co-volunteer, Mom Juanita, with Rep. Cinta Kaipat in the background.
Dennis Cabrera of Rep. Kaipat's Office prepares the paint. Adam looks on as Juanita and Rep. Cinta Kaipat discuss the best and fastest way to get the ceiling painted.

Troops To Teachers' Eugene (in blue) looks on as Adam tries hard to reach the ceiling. Dennis pours more paint for Mike.
Juanita and Adam take a drink and breather, while Mike, Gus Kaipat & Tony Benavente, President of MHS' PTA, work those muscles.
Lei Kaipat looks on as Uncle Gus paints with his shades on to avoid dripping paint in his eyes. Meanwhile, Mike and Adam do their part, too.
Mike, Tony, Adam, Juanita, and Gus busy ignoring the camera.

Members of the fabulous Saturday crew: Beautify CNMI!, Office of Rep. Cinta Kaipat, Troops To Teachers, Adam Sablan and family, Kaipat family, and Beautify CNMI!'s Supervolunteer partners FMI (not pictured here).

Thank You Troops To Teachers!

The painting of the MHS classrooms is the second project that Troops To Teachers has undertaken with Beautify CNMI!, and I am sure it won't be the last. The Troops To Teachers Program is a unique program that Director Geri Willis started with four troops last year to give our returning servicemen and women an opportunity to earn a BA in Education and get paid a decent wage while studying and assisting in the classrooms The Pentagon is looking at our Program as a pilot program for the rest of the U.S. and elsewhere. Some intense concentration by Fred.
Roman worked up quite a sweat.
Gene worked with quiet strength. He can tie Adam for "quietest volunteer."
Gene takes a much-need breather as Adam paints, Dennis pours, and Mike readies to re-load the paint.
Roman back in action.
Fred showing he can get up high, too.
Fred and Gene work quietly in the background.
Roman Benavente, Jr. showing he's a chip off the ol' block.
THANKS, TROOPS TO TEACHERS FOR A JOB WELL DONE!

Fri., 7/13--Day 1: Painting of Marianas High School Classrooms

Thanks to all who volunteered to help paint 15 classrooms at Marianas High School. The painting project began on Wednesday, July 11, but we began a two-day painting project on Friday, the 13th. The Office of Cinta Kaipat and Friends of the Mariana Islands (FMI) donated paint brushes. Other Beautify CNMI coalition partners who provided the manpower included Gus Kaipat and the Kaipat Family Volunteers, and Team Chura Talo. Others who were there also included Beth Nepaial and Sam, who were joined by Patty Mendoza and other young volunteers. The MHS Class of '83 also painted two classrooms on this day. Thanks also to PTI for providing the paint rollers and pans and a big thank you goes to First Hawaii Bank for the donation of thousands of dollars to help paint the classrooms and also to purchase brand-new tables and chairs. Today's lunch was donated by Rep. Cinta Kaipat's Family. Special thanks to Chefs Del and Lee Lieto. Thanks, Olomwaay, Si Yu'us Ma'ase, and Salamat Po, Everyone!Rep. Cinta Kaipat huddles with the volunteers. Okay, ready team? Let's Go!

We painted and took out a gazillion staples tacked to the doors.

We moved the desks and chairs to the side so we could paint the ceiling.

Ditto.

We checked our paint supplies.

Ditto.

We prepared our paint.

Swept the walls to prepare them for painting.

And got busy painting...

...and painting...

...and painting...

...and painting...
...and painting! Gasp! It sure was hot in the classrooms and the smell of the paint was overwhelming at times.
But, at the end of Day 1, the mission was accomplished and it was all worth it.

Then it would be these guys and gal's turn to lead the painting party!

Koblerville Youth Center Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony & 1st Family Fun Night

Don't miss the Grand Opening of the Koblerville Youth Center & 1st Family Fun Night!

When? Friday, June 22, 2007

Time? 5 p.m.

Where? Koblerville Substation

EVERYONE IS INVITED!!! Come one and all to this first ever Family Fun Night. This event will be held every Friday. There will be food, entertainment, outreach info, plus you'll be helping fundraise for all the Youth Centers as 10% of gross receipts will be donated to the Youth Centers courtesy of Mr. Jeff Santos. THANK YOU, JEFF!

Thank You, David Hosono, Jr. of Oleai Elementary School

As they say, better late than never!Representative Cinta Kaipat and young environmentalist David Hosono, Jr. at the Flame Tree Arts Festival. David attends Oleai Elementary School, the same school Rep. Kaipat attended in 6th and 7th grade. David was spotted making several trips to the Beautify CNMI! booth to recycle their trash. Way to go, David! Good Job!!!

Latest Lighthouse Cleanup

If you missed the latest lighthouse cleanup, this is what you missed -- the dancing ladies of FMI. On any given cleanup, you can be sure to see these three ladies shake it while they're cleaning. They hear music and off they go. They are what makes volunteering with Beautify CNMI! FUN!

Thank you to ISA-CNMI for leading the cleanup effort. Also present were FMI, Rep. Cinta Kaipat and staff, Beautify CNMI!'s ever-reliable super volunteers Juanita Fajardo, Adam and Zach Sablan, Gus Kaipat and Leilugh Kaipat. Once, again, the crew proved you can make a big difference and have fun, too!